Getting in shape in Sacramento doesn’t have to cost you a fortune. With so many annual walks and runs in town, along with great gyms to join, fitness is available for any budget. However, if you prefer to work out at home, it’s important to know where to find the best deals on fitness equipment. The following shops will provide you a reasonable price and quality workout gear you can feel good about having in your Sacramento home.

Sacramento Exercise Equipment Center

Located on Date and Madison just off of 1-80, Sacramento Exercise Equipment Center is the largest supplier of gym equipment in the region. They outfit many corporate, apartment and hotel gyms in the Sacramento area, but are also very popular for home gyms. This store supplies full-body cardio equipment like elliptical cross trainers, as well as rowing machines, spin bikes, treadmills, free weights and more. They carry a multitude of brands including Powertec, StairMaster and Champion – chances are at this huge retail location you’ll find the brand and price range you’re looking for.

Fitness 4 Less

As a general rule, I tend to not shop anywhere that replaces a word with a number, but in this instance I’ll make an exception. Fitness 4 Less is a well-respected business in the Arden-Arcade area of Sacramento. Here you’ll find preowned exercise equipment in a price range that’s doable for any budget. Rowers, ellipticals, bikes and skiers are available for under $200 in many cases.

The Fitness Outlet

Over in Rancho Cordova, the Fitness Outlet holds true to a 100% lowest price guarantee. Bring in an ad from any store and they will match the price. Having served Sacramento since 1993, this shop has had some good time to get established and many fitness enthusiasts shop here for all their equipment. They sell the sometimes hard-to-find seated elliptical trainers, along with a wide variety of other rarer items like vibration trainers and trampolines.

Play It Again Sports

On Greenback and Fair Oaks in Citrus Heights, Play It Again Sports is a longtime regional favorite. You can sell your old home gym equipment here, and pick up something “new to you.” They sell apparel, sports equipment and fitness units. An elliptical will run you around $500 here, and bikes vary from $200 and $900. All items are tested and repaired when necessary to be in working condition – it will be ready to start getting you in shape the moment you bring it home. Play It Again Sports is also community driven –if you own a small gym or work with children looking to get in shape, this shop can get you involved with a donation or rebate program to help earn cash and equipment for your cause.

Know What You’re Buying

For novices just starting to design their home gym, the options and price ranges can be overwhelming. Fortunately, sales associates at any of the above listed stores will be able to provide some guidance and know-how that will lead to the best purchase for you personally. There are also plenty of online resources designed to help those shopping in the Sacramento area for various workout units.

EllipticalReviews.com provides an extensive array of elliptical trainer reviews, featuring both best selling brands and more obscure manufacturers. Choose from basic, standard or elite ellipticals and check out what experts have to say about it.

TreadmillReviews.net provides diverse and detailed treadmill reviews, including many brands sold locally in Sacramento. From NordicTack to ProForm, there is advice and recommendations on here for any budget.

Finally, Consumer Reports’ online guide can help you with top reviews and critiques for a variety of workout equipment including exercise bikes, stair steppers and more. They also have video buying guides for a variety of fitness genres.

Other Fitness Options

If a home gym just doesn’t feel like it’s going to work for you at this time, there are plenty of great gyms to join that will provide the accountability you need to get in shape. A favorite that’s exclusive to the Sacramento region is California Family Fitness. With 16 gyms all located within the greater Sacramento area, they offer classes, personal training and independent workout options at a decent price.

Getting in shape doesn’t have to be a huge, unenjoyable task. Sacramento is one of the best cities in the state to get fit and have fun at the same time.